Social Networks Have got the Upper Hand

Networking is an interesting concept. At it's heart is socialising, with maybe a bit of business thrown in.


Now. Cards on the table: I used to run a business network for entrepreneurs. So, when it comes to networking, I've pretty much been there, done that and got the T-Shirt.


I have run hundreds of events for thousands of entrepreneurs up and down the UK.


But, despite all this experience in the "face to face" arena, I have to say: Social networks have the upper hand.


So what am I saying? Facebook's better than your local Chamber of Commerce for generating business?


Well, in a nutshell. Yes.


When people join a social network, they join primarily as themselves (not some flashy business person they are pretending to be, Monday to Friday, nine till five). So you get to meet and interact with someone wholly three dimensional.


When people attend a face to face networking, and I've been arguing for years that this is entirely the wrong way to approach it, they come with a "strategy" and have adopted a "business-like" persona that fits said strategy. Is it therefore any wonder that people find face to face networking a somewhat fruitless task?


So, for all those "business networkers" out there, the next time you go to an event, go as yourselves.... and get to know your fellow networkers are people, rather than as "targets", you never know it might just make all the difference.


Meanwhile, the rest of us will be getting to know each other properly (and in depth, I might add) on Facebook (or Twitter) and doing business with people we know, like and trust.